Walt Disney World Christmas 2022 Guide

Walt Disney World is where magic lives, especially the magic of Christmas. It’s no wonder that the enchantment of this place overlaps to bring extra joy in the Christmas season. This Walt Disney World Christmas 2022 will help you plan what to see!

World Disney World Christmas 2022

There are also some year-round Christmas hotspots to enjoy whenever your vacation might be. For example, Magic Kingdom has Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, located in Liberty Square. In the Germany Pavilion at EPCOT, you’ll find Die Weihnachts Ecke, which means: The Christmas Corner.

There is also a year-round Days of Christmas Store in the Marketplace neighborhood of Disney Springs. You can celebrate the magic of Christmas at Walt Disney World any time of year. However, this Disney World Christmas 2022 guide will show you what seasonal specialties you can enjoy this winter.

Walt Disney World Christmas 2022: Disney Springs

Disney Springs typically goes all out for the holiday season. It’s a huge shopping mall, so that makes sense. Expect lots of Christmas decor around the shops and restaurants. Outdoors will be buildings festooned with garland, lights and plenty of hidden Mickey’s.

Part of the fun of Christmas at Disney Springs is enjoying the window displays. Make sure you have on a warm jacket and a hot cocoa from Joffrey’s in hand. Jofferey’s and other food locations have seasonal menus with exclusive offerings. Be sure to peruse the menus in the My Disney Experience app before you go outside.

Every year Disney Springs hosts a self guided Christmas tree walk. It’s something you want to plan for and make time to enjoy. There will also be plenty of photo opportunities including a Photopass studio in Town Center and a chance to meet Santa Claus at the Days of Christmas store!

Walt Disney World Christmas 2022: Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom always goes all out with Christmas decor as soon as November 1 rolls around and Chernabog has been subdued from his Halloween revelry. Main Street USA is the best example of this, but you will find delightful Christmas decor and theming around the park.

The big attraction at Magic Kingdom this time of year is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It’s a separately ticketed event after the park closes to day guests. It takes place on select nights throughout the season. The limited attendance at the event helps to keep wait times for the attractions low, but there are also plenty of other reasons to participate in this event. You’ll find exclusive entertainment, character meet and greets, Photopass offerings and more.

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks are two major events with viewing areas in front of the castle. The Very Merry Christmas Time Parade departs for multiple performances along the Frontierland and Main Street parade route. For kids, there are mini events such as Club Tinsel, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, and Disney Junior Jingle Jam.

The after-hours event typically begins at 7:00 on select dates, but you can arrive during normal park hours up to three hours in advance. The first night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is on November 8, and it runs through December 22 when the exclusive Christmas parade and fireworks become available to general guests.

Because this is still the 50th Anniversary Celebration at Walt Disney World, guests at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party receive a commemorative keepsake and will have access to special 50th Anniversary photo locations during the party.

Walt Disney World Christmas 2022: Epcot

Unlike Magic Kingdom, EPCOT’s holiday season event is open to everybody during regular hours. The Festival of the Holidays is a seasonal Festival full of food and song. There is a gospel choir, an array of holiday kitchens strewn around the park and even a Cookie Stroll, which sends you to select locations to collect a variety of specially made holiday cookies.

The primary focus of the festival is how countries around the world celebrate Christmas. A highlight is the different cultures’ depictions of Santa Claus and live performances introducing the myths that surround them.

Another highlight of the Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional. The show includes a choir and orchestra to back a celebrity narrator who recounts the biblical story of the birth of Jesus.

The list of narrators for the 2022 season can be found HERE. Some popular past narrators include Alton Fitzgerald White, Jodi Benson, Gary Sinese, Niel Patrick Harris, Andy Garcia, and Ana Gasteyer. The event takes place in the outdoor American Gardens Theater and there are dining packages for purchase that include reserved seating.

Walt Disney World Christmas 2022: Deluxe Resorts

Another way Walt Disney World celebrates the holiday season is by decorating their heavily themed deluxe resort hotels. These hotels have grand lobbies which become festooned with a variety of garlands, ornaments, and other holiday items. Each one uses decor that matches the theme.

Yacht Club Christmas decor favors jewel tones, wood and brass, with nautical accents, while Beach Club favors softer colors, flowers, and a connection to sandy shores. There are decorated lobbies suited to other themes such as the African Savanna, the Northwest wilderness, Polynesia, and more.

In addition to the stunning holiday overlays that the season brings about, there are additional elements unique to each hotel. These lobby displays are fascinating draws that encourage the practice of resort hopping.

The Grand Floridian has become famous for its enormous gingerbread house which gets erected every year. The Boardwalk Inn has a lifesize candy carousel. Yacht Club displays a miniature town with stunning detail and motorized scenes all around including a train that winds its way around and throughout the exhibit. These hotel lobbies also have towering Christmas trees to pull the environment together and add warmth and cheer to the hotels.

Additional Walt Disney World Christmas 2022 Treats

Other parks typically feature holiday decor in their own way and Magic Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios usually have a snowfall effect at certain times in the evening. Also, keep an eye out for menu changes as the season approaches. Seasonal updates can usually be found at the top of the menu for each restaurant.

If you plan to visit Walt Disney World during the Christmas season and are a Disney+ subscriber, you could save up to 20% on your room. Sign into your Disney account for more details.